Summer 2024 in the city

Now the weather is getting warmer (and a touch drier!) we're ready to get out and about to enjoy the summer, but what's happening and when in Norwich this year? We've put together a list of just some of the great events Norwich has to offer, and The Forum is happy to host!

Whether you want free performances in the sunshine, to get out of the heat with an indoor market, or want to see what amazing organisations we have here in the county, we have it all.

Arty stuff

Kicking us off, the European Poetry Festival Tour, curated by SJ Fowler, comes to The Forum on Thu 4 July. Book tickets - pay what you wish (£6, £8, £10) - for an evening in our Auditorium for some of the finest poets of the thriving Norwich poetry scene, alongside writers visiting from across Europe. Over a dozen poets will present new works made for the night. Find out more and book by following the link below.

'Endless Fascination' is the name of East Anglian artist John Patchett's latest exhibition. If you find yourself at The Forum between Mon 5 - Sat 10 August, you'll be greeted with a wonderful selection of impressionist paintings, including East Anglian landscapes, Broadland scenes, sunlit markets, street cafes, marine and coastal locations. You might even catch John doing some live painting in the Atrium, which is always a pleasant experience and fascinating watch. All his pieces are for sale.

Ian Drummond's 2024 showcase art exhibition at The Forum brings together amateur and professional artists from Norwich and the surrounding areas. It highlights the wealth of talent currently producing art in the region. Pop in and browse on bank holiday weekend Sat 24 - Sun 25 August.

Why not join local cartoonist and illustrator David Shenton for a monthly knitting group for men? These sessions are free of charge, open to any skill level, and materials are provided. Beginners are very welcome! Book your place and make some friends while you knit together, taking place on the second Sunday of every month 2-4pm.

Markets

Forum regulars, Norfolk Creations, are back Wed 10 - Tue 23 July with a special summer arts and crafts exhibition showcasing a collection quality handmade work created by Norfolk based artists, crafters and artisans - the perfect place to pick up a unique gift or homeware and support local makers.

Formerly at The Halls, The Norwich Record Fair will have a massive vinyl selection all for sale on Sat 3 August, ranging from the super rare to the brand new, plus a sprinkling of bargain bins! Admission is £3 10am to 3pm, and £6 for early birds at 9am.

Find unique vintage pieces and shop sustainably at the Vintage Vera - Vintage Kilo Sale on Sun 4 August! The day is split into time slots, but all tickets are fully refundable at checkout. Early Bird tickets are for the serious shoppers who like to get in fast and have first dibs on all the stock! Early bird 10am-12pm - £3, General Admission 12pm-5pm - £2. You can also turn up on the day, a ticket is not required to enter and everyone is welcome!

The Norwich Global Village Market is back with an amazing indoor and outdoor market for summer on Sat 17 August, with products from around the world (including Norfolk!). You'll find all the vibes of their popular African & Caribbean Market and more. Enjoy street food stalls with delicious cuisine as well as music and dance performances. This is a family-friendly event and entrance is free. All welcome!

Discover, admire, browse and buy handmade ceramics, prints, jewellery, homewares and textiles, all produced by local, talented artisans at the Local Makers Market inside and outside The Forum on Sat 24 August. The market where each maker is hand-picked to ensure a varied mix of the very best local, modern crafts.

Performances and city events

Drums, dance and a live choir come together to bring some of the city's most exciting stories to life in "From Norwich with Love". Part of the Norwich Castle: Royal Palace Reborn project, you can meet the movers, shakers, and rule-breakers of Norwich’s past in this fast-paced, family-friendly performance on Sat 13 July.

Sure to entertain, we'll have one of the most premier street-dance crews in the UK, Sin Cru and their trusty VW campervan Valoris for two free, energetic, hip-hop throw-down performances, as part of Norwich Theatre’s Family Festival on Tue 23 July.

Sat 27 July sees the 16th annual Norwich Pride! Norwich Pride's job is to organise an amazing Pride March and associated events. The key events are free, inclusive, and accessible. Norwich Pride work positively and creatively to challenge prejudice and discrimination of any kind.

After an epic Bugs and Beasts weekend at Waterloo Park in 2022, this fantastic, free event for families from Norwich Science Festival is back on Sat 1 August! With free drop-in activities with a nature twist, workshops and big family shows, there is plenty for all ages to enjoy at Bugs and Beasts! Plus, Prof Ben Garrod - author, TV presenter and patron of Norwich Science Festival - will be doing a roarsome dinosaur show and a free talk about his brand-new book. There's no need to book, simply drop-by and see what inspires you! Find out more on the Norwich Science Festival website.

It’s back! Organised by the Community Sports Foundation, 8,500 runners have entered this year’s sold-out Run Norwich race, taking place at a new time of year on Sun 9 September. The 10-kilometre course starts and finishes near The Forum, and passes some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including Norwich Castle, Carrow Road and Norwich Cathedral. Thousands of spectators are expected to line the streets to cheer on the runners, many of whom are fundraising for local charities. In the days running up to race-day, the expo will be held at The Forum for runners to collect their race packs, and will will feature stands from Run Norwich’s partners and running brands.

Good causes

We have some brilliant charity events coming up in August. On Sat 3 August, brave participants will take on an exhilarating 42-foot abseil down The Forum building, while raising vital funds for Headway Norfolk and Waveney, in partnership with Nansa Charity and sponsored by Regency Security. Headway Norfolk and Waveney provides essential support and services to individuals and families impacted by brain injuries. Nansa is dedicated to supporting people with disabilities and their families, helping them lead fulfilling lives. You can sign up to the challenge by following the event link below.

Come along for the Positive Minds fair on Thu 29 August, an event brought to you by Norwich Youth Advisory Board (YAB), a group of young people and professionals who work towards making positive social change for young people in Norwich. Meet the brilliant local mental health organisations and groups from the area, join in with activities, find out some tips and tricks, as well as discovering what support is available to you to help your wellbeing.

On Fri 30 & Sat 31 August, Visible, NANSA's Neurodiversity Festival, returns to The Forum, and this year The Gallery will showcase the life experiences of the 'VIPs'. VIP stands for Visible Inclusion Partner, the name NANSA have given to the individuals invited to share their lived experience of neurodivergence at this year’s Festival. Join NANSA for an inclusive experience, visit the stands in The Atrium for information, support and inspiration, with free talks covering a wide range of Neurodiverse topics.

And there's so much more! Events are added to our What's On listing all the time, so do check back. You can also sign up to our newsletter for the latest Forum news to your inbox monthly, including options to hear from our flagship Festivals: Norwich Science Festival (back in Feb 2025), Norwich Games Festival (back in May 2025) and Norfolk Heritage Open Days (in Sep 2024) with heaps of free events, activities, shows and more!